OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

A new, $7 million Mormon temple has been built in opulent North Dallas. While only the duly initiated and sanctified can enter such sanctuaries once they are dedicated, the Dallas temple was open to the public until the time for the laying on of hands, and I was one of the thousands of visitors, most of whom I would guess were non-Mormons. I was treated royally and visited personally with several leading Mormons. I will reciprocate by writing of my experience in an essay entitled “Inside a Temple Built by Man,” which you will want to read. But I cannot promise that it will gain a place with the literature distributed at the visitors’ center at the Dallas temple!

One hundred men from Christian Churches and Churches of Christ met August 7-9 at Ozark Bible College in Missouri in what they called “Restoration Summit.” The purpose of the meeting was to help heal the division between the two churches. Some of those on the program were Monroe Hawley, Furman Kearley, and Reuel Lemmons from Churches of Christ, and Fred Thompson, W. F. Lown, and Sam Stone from Christian Churches. Sam Stone, editor of the Christian Standard, expressed what was surely the prevailing attitude of those gathered when he reported on the meeting in his journal: “We will find many more things on which we agree than on which we disagree. And where we do disagree, we must seek to do so without being disagreeable.” Jon Jones, minister to the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, addressed his congregation on a Sunday evening on his impressions of the gathering. He said he was motivated to make more contact with his brothers in the Christian Churches, and he suggested that some of them be invited by his church as guest speakers. All reports indicate that a fine brotherly spirit prevailed. It might be well that future gatherings include women and more folk from the rank and file.

The Central Church of Christ in Irving (Dallas) is sponsoring a conference for free, changing Churches of Christ, Jan. 17-19. Central is ideally located for such a gathering, being near the DFW airport, which allows people easy access from all over the nation. The newest directory of Churches of Christ, called Where The Saints Meet, published by the Firm Foundation Pub. Co., dares to classify the churches racially, linguistically, doctrinally— and the categories number 42! Over 50 churches are classified as “E” churches, presumably meaning ecumenical, though the “Key” describes them as “more progressive spirit, less attention to traditional issues, and more openness to persons among the denominations.” While the Central church is designated an “E” church in the directory, they are inviting to the conference not only the “E” churches but all others, churches and individuals alike, who see themselves caught up in the winds of change, leaving it to each one to decide if the conference is for him or her. Subjects to be discussed in both panels and small groups will include the ministry of women, dealing with sectarianism, the nature of worship, the mission and destiny of the freer churches, and what is going on in the more open churches. Write for further information to the church at 1710 West Airport Fwy. Irving, Tx. 75060.

I visited with the Central Church of Christ in Irving (Dallas) on a recent Sunday and was impressed when several couples with new babies were made part of a special “thanksgiving” service for the new arrivals. It was the first time ever I had seen what some would call a “dedication” service in one of our churches. There was also a solo, which is very unusual for our people, and the soloist was a woman, which is even more unusual, though I had seen that before at Belmont in Nashville and Burke Road in Houston. The Central leadership wisely prepared the congregation for these innovations by consulting with the members in advance and telling them when it was going to happen. Apparently no problem.